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Those who are using pirated versions of Windows—particularly those in China—are getting riled up over Microsoft's latest tactic to "encourage" them to purchase legit copies. The software giant recently began issuing an update that changes users' desktop backgrounds to a black wallpaper with a reminder to switch to a legal copy of Windows as part of the Windows Office Genuine Advantage program. Now, Chinese users in particular are getting up in arms over the tactic, saying that Microsoft is violating their rights and isn't thinking of its users.

The software update to Windows XP does not render computers running illegal copies of Windows inoperable—in fact, users can continue to use their computers almost just as they would before the update. All it does is change the desktop background every 60 minutes to a black one with the reminder to go legit. Users can change the desktop to something else anytime they want, but it will revert back to the black one when the next 60 minutes is up.

It's worth pointing out that the update wasn't just issued in China—it was released to XP users across the globe who have opted to allow Internet updates from Microsoft. However, Microsoft says that there has been little outcry in other parts of the world, with Chinese users apparently alone in their angst. And angsty they are. "Why is Microsoft automatically connected with my computer? The computer is mine!" one commenter wrote on Sina.com, as quoted by Reuters. "If, when I'm programming, the computer screen goes black, that will probably cause some important information to be lost," another commenter wrote. "Who will pay me for my loss then?"

Ignoring the fact that Microsoft's update doesn't, in fact, cause any data to be lost, it's clear that the update has gotten the attention of PC users in China, a country that is still a hotbed of software piracy enabled by lax enforcement. And, although some accused the company of not thinking of its users, Microsoft has at least tried to cater to the Chinese market by lowering the price of its software. For example, Microsoft has reduced the price of Office (home and student editions) from $102 to $30 within China. And, in 2007, Microsoft decided to slash prices significantly on versions of Windows Vista sold within China.

Still, upsetting what could potentially be Microsoft's largest software market could turn out to be a bad move. Sure, the blackout is a mere annoyance, but it's one of the more intrusive "annoyances" that Microsoft has implemented to date. China may decide it's fed up with Microsoft's antics and either try and build its own software solution or make a serious investment in other, open source options, practical or not. After all, China has already shown that it's willing to throw money at projects designed to compete directly with Western alternatives, as exemplified by its One True DVD project. If and when that happens, it could add to Microsoft's troubles in monetizing a huge market with a proven appetite for its software.

Microsoft, of course, has already begun to do damage control on Chinese users' reactions to the blackouts. "We are extremely grateful for our users' attention. At the same time, we believe there are numerous misunderstandings about the Windows Office Genuine Advantage program," Microsoft wrote in an open letter to its Chinese users, published on Sina.com (rough Google Translated version here). The company clarified in its letter that the black background won't affect the computer's functionality, and that the program to automatically update via the Internet is entirely voluntary.

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Jacqui Cheng
Jacqui is an Editor at Large at Ars Technica, where she has spent the last eight years writing about Apple culture, gadgets, social networking, privacy, and more. Emailjacqui@arstechnica.com//Twitter@eJacqui